Saturday, February 19, 2011

1st you work, then you get Placed...while everyone else is playing? Huh?








Sometimes the toughest learning lessons don't involve doing anything but learning self-control. Such is the case with Murphy the yellow lab in the pictures here. He and his owner, Chris, are regular students at Applewoods Dog Training, but Friday was SUCH A BEAUTIFUL warm day that everyone was eager to be outside - Chris and the rest of us attending the class as well.
As is usual, Chris and Murphy worked on their heeling/sits, timing, and developing teamwork while moving together. Then, while all the other dogs ran around excitedly Chris played the yard game "Ball Retrieve--Who's Got the Ball?"
Murphy was told to "Place" on the step stool and required to maintain emotional self-control while he watched his fellow dogmates run exuberently about the yard playing with his owner!
And watch Murphy did...all the while maintaining his position on the step stool, but watching..ever watching the games all around him.
What's so interesting about Murphy's self -control in these pictures? He was just taught Place two short weeks ago here at Applewoods and of course, we've given him lots of time to practice. Guess it payed off well as Murphy demonstrated he understood what was required with the Place command. Atta boy, Murphy!
What a grand day it was playing in the February sunshine here at Applewoods Dog Training!
Roxanne:)


































































No comments:

Post a Comment